Hoàng Cầu Street in Hà Nội is decorated with banners and flags prior to the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Hiếu

After three consultation conferences, Hà Nội has a list of 37 candidates qualified for the election of deputies for the 15th National Assembly for the 2021-2026 tenure, 160 for deputies to the municipal People’s Council and 1,748 for district and ward People’s Councils. 

In a recent interview with Hà Nội Mới (New Hà Nội) newspaper, Deputy Secretary of Hà Nội’s Party Committee, Chairman of People’s Council and Chairman of the city’s Election Committee Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn talked about the preparation of the capital city for the upcoming elections.

Could you tell us about Hà Nội’s preparations for the upcoming elections?

Under direction documents and decrees issued by the Politburo and National Assembly about elections, Hà Nội has made early preparations. We have set up steering committees and working groups at the city, district and commune level.

Besides issuing official directives and decisions, the city’s authorities have also worked on election preparation plans and established sub-committees including one in charge of ensuring security, one for handling complaints and one for communication work.

The city has also set up 15 working groups to closely examine and push the election work in 30 districts and townships. We have also organised training about elections.

What are the results of the preparation?

All work related to the preparations has been implemented in a timely manner in accordance with the direction from the National Committee on Election and the plan of the city’s election committee.

We have 10 election committees for NA deputies, 30 committees for deputies to the city’s People’s Council, 269 committees for that of districts and 3,056 committees for that of communes and towns.

The city’s election committees have also reviewed dossiers of the nominated candidates and collected opinions from voters. Through three consultation conferences, the municipal Fatherland Front Committee selected 37 candidates nominated as NA deputies, 160 for the city People’s Council, 1,748 for the districts and townships’ People’s Councils and 18,136 for communes and towns’ People’s Councils.

The city has more than 5.4 million voters with 4,831 polling stations.

We have also done communication work, training and handling of complaints and petitions on schedule.

Hà Nội is among several localities that have prepared early for elections. Could you share some experience?

First, we see this as an important political task and have directed authorities to closely follow the situation, direct the preparation and handle issues in the election process of localities.

Secondly, there is proactive and close co-operation between the People’s Councils, People’s Committees, Election Committees and other authorities and agencies in implementing tasks.

In addition, we have also done good communication work about the elections, diversifying the forms of communication contents in different platforms of media. Besides, we also have good plans to ensure security and order during the processes.

What are the key tasks the city will focus on to complete the preparations for election day on May 23?

The city will focus on ensuring the elections are held in a safe manner and in accordance with regulations, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The municipal Steering Committee on Election and Election Committee directed authorities to have plans and scenarios to ensure security and safety in terms of fire and pandemic prevention and control in each polling station.

The People’s Committees and Fatherland Front Committee of districts and townships also work closely with each other to hold meetings between voters and candidates where they would present action programmes and election campaigns in a safe manner and in accordance with regulations.

It is also necessary to review the number of voters in their areas, especially students and temporary residents and internal migrant workers, to ensure they are not missed.

In addition, working groups will continue to closely inspect the situation to handle difficulties and challenges. They also strengthen the communication work in line with the characteristics of each locality while focusing on handling issues including complaints and petitions related to the election. — VNS